He has never had a strong desire to live at Windsor Castle, largely because of the noise of aircraft flying overhead to Heathrow.
But the King appears to have had a change of heart in recent months and is busy putting his unique stamp on the late Queen’s Berkshire estate.
Workmen have been seen sprucing up Queen Elizabeth’s private apartments, while staff have been putting some of her belongings in storage and bringing in many of the new monarch’s favourite pieces of art and antiques.
In the grounds, Charles, 74, has also been expanding his eco-credentials.
New electric car charging points are being installed at several spots across the Windsor estate and thousands of new saplings planted.
King Charles (pictured) has never had a strong desire to live at Windsor Castle, largely because of the noise of aircraft flying overhead to Heathrow.
Work has begun on a new drinking water fountain outside Windsor Castle
A flight from Heathrow airport passing over the round tower of Windsor Castle while climbing after take off
Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and has been the home of English kings and queens for almost 1,000 years.
It is an official royal residence and home to around 150 people, hosting both ceremonial and state occasions.
Queen Elizabeth loved it so much she spent most weekends there in her apartments in the Upper Ward, overlooking the Quadrangle to the front and the Rose Garden – designed by Prince Philip – to the rear.
The apartments are private and rarely seen by the public, although became more familiar when the late sovereign spent more time at Windsor – sometimes four nights a week – as she got older.
She and her late husband moved in full time during the Covid pandemic, when the Queen embraced the video call culture from her personal suite – giving royal watchers a glimpse into a hitherto unexplored part of her life.
While the entire Royal Family love Windsor, King Charles has always preferred the tranquility of Highgrove, the Gloucestershire house and estate he purchased in 1980.
He has poured heart and soul into its gardens and estate, which are now a visitor attraction in their own right and have raised more than £7million for charity so far.
However, multiple sources said the King has now started spending an increasing amount of time at Windsor.
Some of the thousands of new trees being planted in Windsor Great Park
An old building makes way for the construction of a new one on the Windsor estate
This began before his mother died, when he began to stay the night before conducting an investiture in order to spend quality time with her.
Since last September his visits have increased in frequency and length, with the King often now staying two or three nights a week and conducting an increasing amount of official business from the castle as Buckingham Palace is still undergoing extensive renovations.
Although their staff have largely moved over to the monarch’s official residence, he and the Queen Consort actually still live across The Mall at Clarence House.
King Charles is still using his existing suite of rooms at Windsor Castle but workmen have been seen in the late Queen’s apartments, suggesting he may plan to take then over sooner rather than later.
And the sad business of moving out the late Queen’s belongings – putting some into storage and cataloguing others for posterity – has begun.
‘The King is making the castle more to his taste, as would be expected, and bringing in some of his favourite pieces of art and possessions to make it feel more homely,’ a source said.
Now that the Prince and Princess of Wales have moved to Windsor, where they have taken over Adelaide Cottage during term time, Charles will be able to see his grandchildren more.
While well-placed sources say the long-term plan had always been for the Prince and Princess of Wales to move into the castle as soon as possible, the couple and their young family seem very happy where they are.
And there is always the possibility of moving into Royal Lodge if Prince Andrew vacates it, as is the King’s plan.
The King is introducing eco-friendly changes at Windsor including electric car charging points
Windsor Castle’s inner courtyard as an aeroplane flies over it
He is, however, resisting the suggestion that he move into Frogmore Cottage when Harry and Meghan are evicted by early summer. Although it has five bedrooms, it is much smaller and ‘pokier’ than his existing home.
The King was made Ranger of Windsor Great Park last November, inheriting the title from his late father who held it for 70 years.
He has since been exceptionally hands-on, sources say, meeting staff, residents and visitors, promoting environmental best practice wherever possible as well as helping the Crown Estate in its aim of making Windsor net zero by 2030.
The Windsor farm has become organic – encouraged by the King – and he has implemented a massive programme of tree and hedgerow planting.
The estate already has renewable energy in the form of biomass heating using wood chippings from the estate and the king is looking at ways to expand this.
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